About SSO
The Singapore Society of Ophthalmology was established in 1963 and serves as a platform for the local ophthalmology fraternity to interact and socialise.
A Brief History of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology
Dr Arthur Lim
Founder Secretary cum Treasurer
The Singapore Society of Ophthalmology held its inaugural meeting on 11, January 1963 with the following ophthalmologists as its founding members: - Dr Robert Loh (President), Dr Arthur (Secretary cum Treasurer), Dr Wong Kin Yip (Honorary Editor), Dr David Lyen (Honorary Auditor), Dr P C Kwan, Dr James Chew, Dr Tan Soon Hock, Dr S H Lee, Dr Chew Kheng Lain, Dr Oh Thiam Hock, Dr Chua Sui Kim and Dr L H Thean. Dr Robert Loh was the Society's President for 13 years from 1963 to 1976. He was succeeded by Dr Leong Seek Khee who held the position for 3 years from1976 to 1979. Dr Arthur Lm who was the Founding Secretary was the President from 1980 - 1984.
The Society began with 13 members but due to the increasing number of practicing ophthalmologists in Singapore, its memberships in 1980 is approximately 37.
As one of the academic societies affiliated to Singapore Medical Association, the Society was established to promote interest and study in ophthalmology and to liaise with similar bodies in other countries. Over the years, the Society has hosted as well as participated in many regional and world-wide ophthalmic congresses. In its efforts to ensure that local ophthalmologists are kept abreast of recent developments in their field, the Society continues to hold monthly scientific meetings and continuing education sessions as well as sponsor lectures by world authorities on ophthalmology for its members.
From the Society of Ophthalmology Proceedings, Vol 1, 1982 p125
Formation of the Society
Dr Robert Loh
Founder Chairman
In the early 60's ophthalmology as a subspecialty was developing rapidly and there was already a training programme for those doctors wishing to specialize in this field, ensuring growth in numbers in this field and it was felt that a structured organization which would include those practicing ophthalmology, both in private as well as public sectors or undergoing training in the subject, or interested in this specialty, as well as those in related fields, e.g. optometrists , orthoptists and trained nurses would have a definite place in the practices of medicine in Singapore. As I was already in the practices of medicine in Singapore Medical Association - in 1962/63, it was left to me to organize this and I established a Society of Ophthalmology of the Singapore Medical Association in January 1963 with the expressed purpose of promoting the development of Ophthalmology in Singapore and to liase with similar bodies in other countries. I was elected its Founder President and Dr Arthur Lim was its first Secretary at its inaugural meeting on Jan 11 1963. The activities of Society have grown with the 30 years it has been in existence and I am delighted that in its welfare continue to be fuelled by its younger members.
Year – 1972
Constitution of the Society of Ophthalmology Singapore Medical Association
Name
The Society shall be called Society of Ophthalmology of the Singapore Medical Association.
Objects
To promote interest and study in ophthalmology.
To achieve liason with similar bodies in other countries with the approval of the Singapore Medical Association Council.
To publish a journal or proceedings or transactions of scientific meetings with approval of Singapore Medical Association of scientific meetings with approval of the Singapore Medical Association Council.
Membership
Three kinds of members:
Ordinary - confined only to members of Singapore Medical Association.
Associate - doctors not members of Singapore Medical Association.
Scientific - members who are not qualified medical practitioners.
Right of Members
Only ordinary members have right to vote or hold office.
Subscription
The subscription shall be $12/- annually for all members.
Management
Shall be in the hands of the management committee consisting of:-
Chairman.
Secretary cum Treasurer.
Committee Members.
Duties of Officers
Chairman
Shall preside at all business meetings.
Shall have a casting vote.
In the event of absence of Chairman the Committee shall elect one from among themselves to preside at the meeting.
Secretary cum Treasurer
Shall be responsible for the management of the Society.
Shall keep a register of all members.
Shall convene all meetings.
Shall prepare the Annual Report and audited Annual Statement of Accounts both of which shall be submitted to Singapore Medical Association Council, one month before the Annual General Meeting of the Singapore Medical Association.
Keep minutes of all business meetings.
Sign all cheques which have to be countersigned by the Chairman.
Hon.Auditor and Hon.Editor
Both shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting
Vacancy
The Management Committee shall have right to fill any vacancy of office that may occur during their term of office.
Term of Office
The term of office shall be one year.
Meetings
Annual General Meeting
The Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of January every year.
Notice of the meeting together with the agenda and the Annual Report and audited statement of Account must be circulated to all members at least two weeks before date of Annual General Meeting.
The Agenda shall include:-
Election of Office Bearers.
Annual Report.
Statement of Account.
Any resolution submitted by members notice of which must be given to the Secretary at least fourweeks before the date of the Annual General Meeting
Extraordinary General Meeting
Shall be convened by the management committed or at the written request of at least one third of the registered members. Two weeks notice of meeting must be given.
Quorum
Quorum of Committee Meeting shall be 3. Quorum at Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting shall be one third of registered members. In the event of lack of quorum at the Annual General Meeting the meeting shall be postponed to a date not earlier than ten days and not later than twenty days from the date of the cancelled meeting. No quorum will be necessary for postponed meeting. In the event of lack of quorum at the Extraordinary General Meeting, the meeting will be considered cancelled and the subject for resolution will not be raised at another Extraordinary General Meeting again within a year.
Professional Meeting
The Society shall conduct at least one closed meeting and one open meeting a year.
Amendment to Constitution
Any proposed amendment must be notified to the Committee at least one month before the Annual General Meeting and must be passed by at least two thirds of the ordinary members present at the Annual General Meeting.
Interpretion of Constitution
In matters on which this Constitution is silent, the Society shall be guided by the Constitution of the Singapore Medical Association. When the Singapore Medical Association Constitution is also silent, the Society shall be guided by the discretion of the Management Committee.
Dissolution
The Society shall not be dissolved unless with the consent of at least two thirds of its registered members.
Funds
In the event of dissolution, the balance of the funds, after the discharging off all debts, shall be handed over to the Singapore Medical Association.
Expulsion of Members
The Committee shall have the right to expel any member. The expelled member shall have right of appeal at the Annual General Meeting whose decision shall be final. Members whose subscription are in arrears for more than 2 years shall be given a notice of warning by the Secretary. If after the warning, the arrears are still not paid up, the Committee shall have the right to strike his name of the register. One payment of all his arrears, he may be reinstated.
Publication
The Society shall publish once yearly its journal or proceedings.
The Editorial Committee will consist of :-
The Chairman
Sec/Treasurer
The Editor
Material :-
Proceedings of meeting (professional) and articles or communications which the Editorial Committee deems suitable, sent from or through members of the Society or affiliated bodies or from members of the parent body. (S.M.A.)